Adventure Holidays - Fat Biking in the Bear Kingdom

Fat Biking in the Bear Kingdom

Fat biking in the unspoilt wilderness of Martinselkonen in Finland is an unforgettable experience. You will ride along the Eastern border of the EU, close to the Russian border, where bears hibernate deep in the Taiga forest. During your trip you will see many animal tracks in the snow, and in the evening you can relax in the heat of a sauna and perhaps catch a glimpse of the Northern Lights dancing in the sky.

Itinerary

Our guide will welcome us at Kajaani or Kuusamo airport. A transfer by private car/coach will take us to the Martinselkonen Wilds Centre (duration 2 hours).

Day 2: Get to know your bike and evening snowshoeing

After breakfast its time to get to know the bikes and equipment. The guide will make sure that everyone’s bike is correctly fitted for the rider. We learn to use the bike gears and brakes and get tips for cycling safely in the snow. We try the bikes on the road first and move off road. We will do a 7km route to practise and get used to riding on snow. In the evening we will go out for a 4-5km walk on snowshoes to explore the forest, pausing on the way for a hot drink and if we are lucky we may see the Northern Lights.

Day 3: Teerilampi trail 17km

Today is our first longer route and we'll head to the Teerilampi circle trail that will take us to Martinselkonen Nature Reserve. We will ride in the snow-white landscape beside the Russian border and enjoy an outdoor lunch at Teerilampi wilderness hut.

Day 4: Lake side trail 15km

Today we will follow a trail that goes around beautiful Öllöri lake, one part of the trail is on ice. On they way we can see the Finland-Russia border stones. An outdoor lunch is enjoyed beside an open fire.

Day 5: Martinjoki trail 24km

After breakfast we'll head out for another day on the bikes in the Martinselkonen Nature protection area. This trail follows part of the same route as the Teerilampi trail.

Day 6: Favourite trail

On the last day we decide which of the 3 trails was the groups favourite. We will return to this trail once more to complete our week in the beautiful winter nature. Alternatively go snowshoeing or ice fishing or participate in one of the optional activities.

Day 7: Departure

It’s time to say goodbye. After breakfast transfer to the airport by private car/coach.

Steven, a member of the Whereabouts Holiday team shares with us his time in Northern Finland taking on the unusual and adventure filled Fat Biking tour. Right click here to read his story.

Route Overview

The fat bike trails in Martinselkonen are maintained tracks where the snow is dragged as hard as possible. On the longer trails a snowmobile travels in front marking the trail and the guide takes up the rear. This means everyone can ride at the speed that is best for them. Riding on snow is harder than on a hard surface, so participants need good basic fitness and previous experience of biking.

Travel Information

By airTransfers to and from the airport are included. Depending on the tour the meeting point is either Kajaani or Kuusamo airport, operated from Helsinki by Finnair (www.finnair.com)

Please check the joining point for the trip and transfer schedule before booking any flights as we organize only one airport transfer for each group on arrival and departure.

Transfers for the 3rd March 2019 departure are scheduled from Kajaani airport at 17:15, and returning to Kajaani airport for a flight departing at 13:30.

By Train

The main railway routes to Kajaani are: Oulu-Kajaani from the west, Helsinki-Kuopio-Kajaani from the south. Travelling time from Helsinki to Kajaani during the day is from 5.5-7.5 hours.

More information about the train connections are available at www.VR.fi. If the joining point for the tour is Kuusamo you should continue by bus from Kajaani or Oulu as there are no trains.

General, visa, passport and health information.

For passport and visa information, please check the relevant section on this page: https://www.gov.uk/browse/citizenship/passports. General Travel and health Information for your destination is available on the FCO website. Click here for the latest travel advice for Finland, and click here for useful ‘know before you go’ information also from the FCO. Please note that this information relates to UK passport holders only and that other nationalities should refer to their own authorities for this information.

Travel Insurance

For details of specialist insurance for our travel packages, please visit our insurance page. You must ensure that your travel insurance policy covers you to participate in the activities included as part of your holiday.

Accommodation

The Fat Biking in the Bear Kingdom tour stays in the Martinselkonen Wilds Centre, this is a small family-run company located on the East border of Finland in Suomussalmi. The old border guide station has been transformed into comfortable accommodation facilities.

Accommodation is in twin or single rooms. Each of the rooms have en-suite bathroom. The main house has a cosy dining area for 32 persons. Both accommodation buildings have drying rooms for clothing. There is a sauna for client’s free use.

Any local tourist taxes are not included in the holiday price and are payable at the hotel.